Toetap and the calf muscle

A good friend of mine has a repeating calf muscle problem .She most likely has not see someone to fully deal with the problem. So, I am going to give her a few ideas to try and help her.
Since toetap or pointe/tap have the similar calf issues as clogging,pointe. Also share some of the same injury's as high heels or pointe boots. I am going to share a few calf issues.

This one from Answerbag goes like this :
Calf muscle injury's acour in either the gastrocnemius or the soleus muscle.The gastrocnemius is the large ,more obvious calf directly below the knee. The soleus lies directly below it and,is attached to the Achillies tendon. The most calf injury's are caused by overuse durning activity's such as basketball,footballweightlifting,or dancing.
Significance:
Calf muscle injurys can be serious or disabling as they affect a persons ablitity to walk.
Idenification:
Calf muscle injury are categorized in grades 1,2 or 3 accourding to the Sports injury Clinic.
Grade 1
Are mild strains that cause mild pain and tightness
Grade 2
can cause swelling and brusing as well as pain while walking.
Grade 3
Is the most sever ..such as a torn muscle or ruptured tendon.

Effect

A grade 3 rupture can cause a deformity in the calf as the muscle tendon becomes detached from the Achillies heel and ,bunches up at the top of the leg just below the knee. Someone with this type of injury may not be able to contract his muscle.
Surgical repair is often necessary.

Type of Non Surgical Treatment:
Most calf sprains are pulled muscles that can be treated witha combination of rest,ice,heat and anti-inflammatory medicans such as ibuprofen,aspirin ,naproxen,Etodolac, Tramadol,Cyclobezaprine....they even have a few that will get you down the montain the day before yesterday!Yes ! they can be that strong!
You can also, weara heel pad to lesson the preasure on the two major calf muscles.
Considerations:
Once the intial inflammation is under control .Use heat to increase blood flow to the injuried calf muscle. Heat helps relax the muscle and,get them ready for renewed physical activity. Stretching and strenth building exercises can also help.

Here was another Answer :

The plantaris Muscle is a thin muscle that starts at the knee joint. Which attaches to the Plantaris tendon beginning at the calf.
The Plantaris tendon then elongates down the calf to the foot.Connected to the joints in the foot.
Both the Plantaris muscle and,tendon are prone to injury.Because they are connected to two joints .

This answer came from a clogging site :

Calf tightness can be due to several factors:
1) Are you dehydrated?
You need to ensure that you are drinking enough water to allow the exersing muscle to work.
2) A lot of calf related systoms are due to faulty foot mechanics. Which have existed for many years without a problem. But , now are coming to light.

As a result the calf maybe working too hard to compansate for these mechanic and become excessively tight. but, stretches on there own is not the answer .
See a podiatrist for a gait(I.E. walking,running,dance) analysis and they will be able to explain exactly what is wrong. Do not except stretching as the answer it is not!

Answer from my P.T.

People who do clogging ,pointe ,or toetap share the same calf injury's as a person who wears high heels .
To be sure I would have to see her .
I know for a fact that they have very good P.T. 's where she from .

Recommened books to read :
Preventing Dance Injuries
second edition
by Ruth Solomon
John Solomon and
Sandra Cerny Minton

Dance Anotomy and Kinesiology
by Karen S. Clippinger

Dance Imagery for Technique and Performance
By Ana Bracilovic